Machine for mounting shoes on lasts



A. BOUHGEOIS. MACHINE FOR MOUNTING SHOES ON LASTS.

APPL ICATION FILED MAY 2|, I918.

Patentd Nov. 23, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

A. BOURGEOIS. MACHINE FOR MOUNTING SHOES ON LASTS. APPLICATION FILED MAYZI. IQIBA Patented Nov. 23, W20,

2 SHEETSSHEEI 2- UNITED STATES llllENT OFFICE.

ADELORD BOURGEOIS, or swnnrscorr, MAssAonUsET'rs, Assre-non To UNI snon MACHINERY conronarron, or ra'rnnson, new A CORPORA- TION OF NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR MOUNTING SHOES 0N LASTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 21, 1913., Serial No. 235,865.

To all whom it may coiiccm:

Be it known that I, Anatole) Bonnenors, a cit zen oi: the United States, residing at Swampscott, in the county of Essex and EState of Massachusetts, have invented certain ln'iprovementsin Machines for Mounting Shoes on Lasts, oi which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawingsindieating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to machines for use in the manufacture of boots and shoes for mounting shoes on lasts. Such machines are of particular utility in the manufacture of turn shoes for mounting the shoe on the second last after the shoe has been turned,.

but it will. be evidentfrom a consideration of the construction and manner of operation oi. the machine herein shown that the ini ention not limited in utility to the manufacture of shoes of this particular type.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine of improved construction bythe use of which a shoe may be mounted on a last in an expeditious and effective manner with comparativel); little effort upon I the part ot the operator and without injury either to theshoe or to the last. An. important feature of the invention consists in novel means for working a shoe over a last by engagement with the shoe. The construction illustrated as an embodiment oi this feature comprises a band for embracing the heel end.

portion oi the shoe and means for closing the hand upon the shoe and tor operating: it

to work the heel end portion of the shoe smoothly over the last. The construction shown comprises also novel mechanism for operating the shoe engaging: means, whereby the operator. bv movement ot his foot, is en abled to move the shoe engaging means into or out of engagement with theshoe at will and also'to impart to said meansmovernents for working; the shoe over thelast.

It further feature otthe invention com- I prises a novel construction and arrangement.

oi means for forcing a last into a shoe in l combination with means for workin the shoe over the last. Still other features are to be re nixed in novel means enforcing a last into a shoe, novel means for, guiding the last in its n vemcntinto the shoe", novel means for positioning the shoe and for supchineiin' which the invention is embodied withportions broken away to illustrate the lntQIlODCODStILiCtIlOIl;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation, and partially in'vertical section, of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1; and i i 1 Fig. 3 is view similar to Fig. 2 of a portion of the machine, illustrating the positions of the parts at a different stage in the operation of the machine.

The machine herein shown comprises a,

column 2 adapted to stand upon the door, the column having at itsupperjend ahori zontal table 4 upon winches secured a plate l t li'iitillte d Nov. 23, 1920.

6 to provide a support for, the tforepart oi'ii a shoeinto which alast is to be inserted; Upon the plate 6 there may be positioned a sheet ofcomparatively yieldahle material 8 such as leather orrubber to prevent injury to thesurface of the sole during-the operation of. forcing the last into the shoe.

Seciired to the column 2 is a bracket 10 whichsupportsa plate 12 the upper surfs ce oi? which is hollowed out to adapt liljlfiiillfit to serve as a mold see Fig. 2) for shaping the heel seat portion of. the sole as the last is Forced into the shoe, The bracket 10 is provided with a vertical slot 14 which in cooperation w1th. a seeurin bolt 16 permits the bracket and the plate to be adjusted vertically, The bracket is preferably positioned, as shown. to sup iort the heel end portion oi the shoe ahigherelevation than the forenart, the rear portion of the T latively to the t0re[ shoe being: thus liite part to si'lbstantiallv the same extent as it is in the completed shoe by theactionof the.

attarhedflieel. By positioning: the shoe in this mannerwith its sole inclinedidownweirdly-toward the toe end, the operation of forcing! the last into the shocin the manner hereinafter explained is greatly facilitated.

Mounted for movement vertically in a bearingls on a bracket 20 secured to or formed integrall r. with the column Qis a rod .22hi1pon upper end of w hichiis ting the last to tip relatively 'during its movement into the shoe.

mounted an arm 24 which carries a last engaging spindle 26. "The diameter of the spindle 26 is greater than the; normal diameter of the usual socket or spindle hole a in the heel end portion of a last, and at its lower end the spindle is rounded in substantially semi-spherical form to permit it to seat within the. upper end of the socket a and thus to maintain an engagement with the lastin a definite location while permit to the spindle The spindle 26 has threaded engagement with the arm 24 to permit it to be adjusted vertically in'conformity to different conditions encountered in operating upon shoes of diff ferent sizes and styles. In order to permit accordance with the location shoe and the last or of tion 'of the spindle hole in different lasts the spindle 26 to be readily positioned in of the hole a in the last irrespective of the length of the variations in the posiand also to permit'the spindle to remain in engagement with the. last in the same location continually during the movement of the last'into the shoe, provision is afforded for movement of the spindle relatively to the rod 22 in directions lengthwise of the shoe. In the construction shown the arm 24 is swiveled upon the upper end of the rod 22,

thearm' carrying a set screw 28 which en- "gages in'a'n annular. groove 30 in the rod to afford an operative connection between the rod and the arm while to swing laterally; I V "For the purpose of lmparting operating permitting the arm movement to the rod 22 to force the spindle 26 downwardly, the rod is connected at its for . "-lower end to a and the spindle play of the lever 32 to "tojeffect engagement or disengagement of the plate 40 withthe teeth of'the plate 38. y means of this constructionthe lever 32 may beloeated insuchmanner as to hold the spindle 26 against upward retractive movement after the parts have been operated to force the last either partially or entirely into theshoe, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. V V r I I In order to assist in positioningthe shoe the operation of the machine, and also to insure against forward movement of the shoe, the machine is provided with a laterally curved shoe positioning member 42 which is supported upon a. bracket 44 on the table 4 in position to project in front of the toe end of the shoe. T he member 42 is connected to the bracket 44 by means of a. hinge 46 which permits the member to rock laterally and thus to conform readily to the location of the toe end of the shoe, whether the shoe be a right or a left. The bracket 44 is secured to the table 4 by means of a bolt 48. this bolt extending through a. slot 50 in the bracket which permits the shoe positioning member 42 to be adjusted in directions lengthwise of the shoe, in order to adapt the machine to operate upon shoes of different sizes. In addition to the mom- -er 42, the machine is also provided with shoe positioning members 52 which are arranged to engage the shoe at the opposite sides of the forepart. these members being supported for rocking movement upon brackets 5-4 in substantially the same manner in which the member 42 is supported upon the bracket 44. The brackets are secured adjustably to the table 4 in substantially the same manner as the bracket 44 and permit the members 52 to be spaced different distances apart for shoes of different widths. The members 42 and 52 are preferably faced with yieldable material 56 such for example as leather or rubber in order to insure against injury to the surface finish of the shoe.

In order to assist in guiding the last into the shoe during the downward lTlOVOIl'lQHlJ of he spindle 26 effected in the manner hereinbefore explained, the machine is provided with a member 58, herein termed a shoe horn. which is preferably formed of metal or of similar resistant material. having a smooth surface along which the rear end portion of the last may slide as it is forced into the shoe, this member being curved laterally in approximate conformity to the lateral curve of a last and shoe around the heel end portion. In order to position the member 58 for convenient use andv to permit it to be readily withdrawn from the shoe when required, it is connected by means of a flexible strap 60 to an arm 62 carried by a pivot rod 64 which is mounted to turn in a lug on the arm 24 and is provided at its opposite end from the arm 62 with a second arm 66 adapted to serve as a handle. By swinging the arm 66 the arm 62 may thus be operated to pull the horn 58 out of the shoe whenever the operator so desires.

Positioned at the rear of the heel end portion of the shoe, as located upon the support ing plate 12, is an end embracing band comprising a portion 68 which ma be formed of rubber or other flexible material adapted to be wrapped about the heel end portion of the shoe in frictional engagement with the upper, the rubber strip 68 in the consi'r tion shown bein secure to a curved strin and thus lock the lever and its connected parts against retractive upward movement. In order to complete the relasting operation with respect to the rear end portion of the shoe and cause the upper to be drawn smoothly and free from wrinkles over the heel end portion of the last, the operator will then place his foot upon the rest 114 and by a direct downward pressure, without rocking the member 114, depress the treadle lever 96 to swing the heel band toward the shoe and wrap it about the heel end portion of the shoe in the manner hereinbefore explained. \Vhile maintaining the pressure upon the treadle to hold the heel band tightly about the shoe, the operator will then rock the member 114 rearwa-rdly about its pivot 116 and thereby impart an upward movement to the heel band in frictional engagement with the upper materials to pull or draw the upper tightly over the last while the last is restrained from upward movement by its engagement with the spindle 26, If desired, the operator may repeat this'operation of the band upon the shoe, causing it to release and then to reengage the shoe and wipe the upper upwardly as many times as he desires. This operation of the heel band upon the shoe may be performed if desired before the last has been entirely forced into the-shoe by the action of the spindle 26. In case it is noted, for example, during the operation of forcing the last into the shoe that there is a tendency for the upper at the rear portion of the shoeto be wrinkled, the treadle lever 32 may be located in an intermediate position and the heel band then operated in the manner hereinbefore ex lained to work the upper over the last. Sidbsequently the treadle '32 may be further depressed to complete the operation of forcing the last clownward into the shoe, after which if desired the heel band may be again operated to draw the upper finally in a smooth and unwrinkled condition over the last. It will be evident that the shoe horn 58 may or may not be wtihdrawn prior to the operation of the heel band or may be manipulated simultaneously with the band to work the shoe over the last.

During the final stage of the depressing movement of the spindle 26, whereby the lastis forced downward with firm pressure upon the solo at the heel end portion, the mold 12 becomes effective to shape the'heel seat portion of the sole substantially as desired for the subsequent attachment of the heel, and thus, in a measure at least, to eliminate the necessity for any subsequent shaping action upon this portion ofthe sole.

While the heel band and its operatingmechanism for use in drawing the heel end portion of a shoe smoothly and free from wrinkles over a last are herein shown as part of a machine for use in mounting shoes on lasts, it will be evident that this portion of the structure involves features of utility irrespective of the particular charactor of other attendant mechanism or of other operations which a machine including such structure may be adapted to perform, and the drawings and description are therefore to be regarded as merely illustrative and not as implying a limitation with respect to the scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, means for forcing a last into a shoe, means constructed and arranged to be closed about the heel end portion of the shoe in frictional engagement with the upper along the opposite sides of the heel portion, and mechanism for operating said upper engaging means to draw the shoe over the last against the resistance of said forcing means.

2. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for forcing a last into a shoe, a flexible end embracing band, and means for closing said band about the heel end portion of the shoe and moving it toward the top of the last to work the heel end portion of the shoe over the last.

3. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for forcing a last into a shoe, mechanism for locking said forcing means against retractive movement, and means for engaging the shoe frictionally along the opposite sides of the heel portion and drawing it over the last against the resistance of said forcing means.

4-. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for forcing a last into a shoe, mechanism for locking said forcing means against retractive movement, a flexible end embracing band, and means for closing said band about the heel end portion of the shoe and moving it toward the top of the last against the resistance of said forcing means to work the heel end portion of the shoe over the last.

5. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for engaging a last partially inserted in a shoe. treadle means for operating said last engaging means to force the last into the shoe. and treadle operated means constructed and arranged for use subsequently to engage the upper of the shoe frictionally and draw it over the last.

6. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for forcing a last into a shoe, an end embracing hand. and treadle ope ated means for first closing said band about the heel end portion of the shoe and then moving the band toward the top of the last to Work the shoe over the last.

7 A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for forcing a last into a shoe, and means constructed and arranged to he moved subsequently into engagement with the exterior surface of the heel end portion of the upper of the shoe and operated to draw the shoe over the last against the resistance of said forcing means.

8. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for forcing a last into a shoe, means for gripping the heel end portion of the shoe at opposite sides, and mechanism for bringing said gripping means into frictional eiigagement with the shoe and drawing the shoe over the last against the resistance of said torcing means. i

9. A machine of theolass described having, last into a shoe, means for grippingthe heel end portion of the shoe at opposite sl and means for enabling the operator repeate'dly to close said gripping means on the shoe and move said means in a direction to Work the shoe over the last. i

10. A machine of the classfiescribed having, in combination, nreans for engaging a last partially inserted in a shoe, means for a gripping the heel end portion of the shoe, and means for ellitbllllg the operator to impart last and shoe fol-0mg movements alternately to said last engaging means and gripping means to cause the shoe to be mounted on the last.

' 11. A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for forcing alast into a shoe, means for rippingtlie heel end portion of the rip er oil the shoe, and means for enabling the operator to lock said forcing means againstretraction at an intermediate stage in its operative movement and then to operate said grippingmeans in frictional engagement with the shoe to work the shoe over the last. y

12; A machine of the class described how ing, in combination, ineans for engaging last paitially illserted in a shoe, mechanism for operating said engaging means to force the last into the shoe, and. means comprising a flexible end embracing band constructed and arranged to engage the upper of the shoe frictionally along the opprisite sides of the heel portion and through relativemovemntof said ujJper engag means and the last to work the shoe over the last. p y 1.3. A machine of the class describedhaving, in combination, means for forcirig a last into a shoe, means comprising a flexible band consttncted and arranged to engage the upper of the shoe frictionally along the opposite sides oi the heel portion to cause the heel end portion of the shoe to be mounted smoothly on the last throngh relative movement of the lastand said band, and

means tor enabling the operator to close said band on the shoe or to release it there- 'fl'OlIlEtl] "will.

14:. In a machine of the class described, the coriibi natioan with means for engaging a last in a shoe, oi a horrible endembracing band, connectioi'is the opposite end pore tions of said band, and means for operating said connections firstto Wrap the band about the heel endportion of the shoe and then to move the band toward the top of the last to Work the shoe overthe last against the resistance of said last engaging means;

a 15, In a machirie of the class described, the combination with shoe positioning means and means tor engaging last in a shoe positioned by said means, of means tor trio tionally engaging the upper of the shoe, a support movable to carry said upper engaging means into shoe engaging position, and mechanism for moving said upper engaging means relatively to said support to work the shoe over the last against the resistance of said last engagin means;

16; In a machine of the o ass described,

the combinationwith means tor engaging a last n a shoauoi means tor frictionally en- ..gaging the upper of the shoe, a support mounted "for swrrrging movernrent to carry said upper engaging means into shoe engaging position, and mechanism for moving said upper engaging means toward the top of the last whirlelsaid means is in engagement with the shoe to work the shoe over the last. a

17. In amachine of theclass described,

' the combination with means for engaging a last in a shoe, of means for frictionally en gaging the upper at the heelend portion of the shoe, an operating member arranged to be engaged by j the operators foot, and connections between said member and the upper engaging means to cause said means tobe moved into engagement oi: the shoe bya movement of said member in one direction and to be operated to work the shoe over the last by a different l llO'VOlllGlllZ of said member.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with meansfor engagin v a last in a shoe, cftl aheel embracing ban a foot rest, andconnections between said hand and foot rest to cause the hand to be closed about the heel end portion of tlieshoe by a downward movement of said foot rest and to be operated to Work the upper of the shoe over the last by a swinging movement of said foot rest While the band is held in engagen'icnt with the shoe.

19. In a machine of the class described,

4O of said different holder upon which said band support for said holder mounted for swingiing movement to carry the band into or out of engagement with the shoe, a treadle lever :the combination with means for engaging a last in a shoe, of a heel embracing band, a 1s mounted, a

connected to said support for operating it, a foot rest pivotally mounted on said treadle lever, and connections between said foot rest ,and'holder to cause a swinging movement of the footrest tooperate the band for working the shoe over the last while thedoand is held in engagement with the shoe by the depression; of said footrest and lever. .7

20.; In a machine of the class described, thecombination with means for engaging a last in a shoe, of a-fiexible heel embracing band, a-holder-for "said band comprising lever arms upon whichthe end portions of the'band. are supported, means for causing said arms to swing the ,end portions of the band into shoe en 'a in )osition and means for operatingsai'd holder to cause the band to work the shoe over the last while the band is held in engagement with the shoe. f 21. In machme of the class described,

the combination with a support for the bottom of a shoe and means for engaging the top of aflast in a shoe on said support, of

' the upper the combination with means forengaging the rear end portion of ofthe shoe frictionally and drawing lt over the last against the resistance ofsaid last engaging means;

22. In a machine of the class described,

the combination with means for forcing a last into a shoe, of shoe supporting means arranged to. engage the bottom of the shoe and, comprising relatively adjustable for partand heel-seat supporting portions, and means for maintaining the adjusted relation portions of thesupporting means. ,w. 4 c

28. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means for forcing a last into. a shoe, of a support forrthe forepart of the shoe, and an additional support for the heel end portion of the shoe arranged to maintain the heel end portion of the shoe at a.higher elevation than the forepart and adjustable to vary, said elevation. 24. In a machine of the class described, means for forcing a last into a shoe, of a support for the 'bot- Qtomjofthe forepart of the shoe, an addi 'justable to vary'the distancebetween the the combination with means for planes of their shoe snpportingsurfaces, and means for maintaining the adjusted relation ofsaid supports. Y

In a machine'of the class described, I forcing a last into a shoe, of a support for the bottom of the shoe, and an abutment arranged to project laterally of the shoe across the last into a shoe, of a support for the bottom of the snoe, an abutment arranged to pro ject across the toe end of the shoe, and other abutments arranged to extend along the opposite sides of the forepart of the shoe, said abutments being adjustable for shoes of different sizes and also movable in response to engagement with the shoe to cause them to be positioned in accordance with the contour of the shoe.

2?. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means for supporting a shoe, of means for forcing a last into the shoe comprising a spindle of greater diameter than the spindle hole of the last and having an end portion shaped to seat within the outer end of the spindle hole while permitting the last to tip relatively to the spindle during its movement into the shoe.

28. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means for supporting a shoe, of means for forcing a last into the shoe comprising a member having a substantially semi-spherical portion of greater diameter than the spindle hole of the last and arranged to engage the last at the outer end of said spindle hole to force the last into the shoe while permitting the last to tip relatively to said member during its movement into the shoe.

In a machine of the class described, the combination with a support for the bottom of a shoe, of means for forcing a last into the shoe comprising a rod mounted at one side of'the shoe for rectilinear movement lengthwise in substantially perpendicular relation to the plane of said support, and last engaging means carried by said rod.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a support for the bottom of a shoe, of means for forcing a last into the shoe comprising an operating member mounted for substantially rectilinear movement transversely of the plane of said support, and last engaging means carried by said member and movable relatively thereto in directions lengthwise of the shoe.

31. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a support for the bottom of a shoe, of means for forcing a last into the shoe comprising a rod movable lengthwise in transverse relation to the plane of said support, and last engaging means swiveled on said rod for movement relatively to the rod in response to change of position of the last during its movement into the shoe. 7

82. In a machine of the class described,

ill]

the combination with a support for the bottom of a shoe, of means for forcing a last into the shoe comprising a rod mounted at one side of theshoe for movement lengthwise in substantially perpendicular relation to the plane of said support, an arm swiveled on said rod, and means carried by said arm for engaging the last to force it into the shoe.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a support for the bottom of a; shoe, of means for forcing a last 'ito the shoe comprising a rod mounted at one side of the shoe for movement lengthwise in substantially perpendicular relation to the plane of said support, an arm swiveled on said rod, and a spindle adjustably mounted on said arm for engagement with the top of the last.

34. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a support for the bottom of a shoe, of means for forcing a last -into the shoe comprising a rod mounted at one side of the shoe for movement lengthwise in substantially perpendicular relation to the plane of said support, an arm swivcled on said rod, and extending over the top of the shoe, and a spindle carried by said arm and having a substantially semi-spherical end portion of greater diameter than the spindle hole of the last for engaging the last at the outer end of said spindle hole, said arm being swiveled on the rod to permit the spindle to more with the last in directions lengthwise of the shoe.

35. In a machine of the class described, the combination. with a support for the bottom of a shoe, of means for forcing a last into the shoe comprising an operating member mounted for movement transversely of the plane of said support and carrying means for engaging the last, said last engaging means being movable relatively to said operating member in directions lengthwise of the shoe and constructed for positioning engagement with thelast at the outer end of the spindle hole while permitting the last to tip relatively thereto during its movement into the shoe.

36. A machine of the class described having, in combination, shoe engaging means, last engaging means, mechanism for effecting relative movement of said shoe engaging means and last engaging means to cause a last to be forced into a shoe, additional means constructed to project within the shoe between the shoe and the heel end face of the last to serve as a guide during said relative movement of the last and the shoe, and mechanism connected to said guiding means to permit said means to be withdrawn manually from the shoe.

l-Z, A machine of the class described having, in combination, means for forcing a last into a shoe, means for supporting the shoe againstthe pressure of the last, a shoe horn arranged to guide the heel end portion of the last as the last is forced into the shoe, and means for withdrawing said horn from the shoe after the last has been forced into the shoe.

38. In a machine of the class described, the combination with last engaging means and mechanism for operating said last engaging means to force a last into a shoe, of a shoe horn arranged to guide the heel end portion of the last as the last is forced into the shoe, and operating means connected to said shoe horn to enable the operator to withdraw the horn wholly or partially from the shoe at any stage in the operation of forcing the last into the shoe,

39. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a shoe support, of means for forcing a last into a shoe on said support, a shoe horn for guiding the heel end portion ofthe last in its movement into the shoe, a pivoted support for said horn movable to withdraw the horn from the shoe, a flexible connection between said horn and support, and manual means for operating said support to withdraw the'horn from the shoe.

t0. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a shoe support, means for forcing a last into a shoe on said support, a shoe horn for guiding the heel end portion of the last in its movement into the shoe, and means for engaging the exterior surface of the shoe frictionally and drawing the shoe into final position on the last.

n. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a shoe support, means for forcing a last into a shoe on said support, a shoe horn for guiding the heel end portion of the last in its movement into the shoe, a band for embracing the heel end portion of the shoe, and means for operating said band to work the shoe into final position on the last.

42. In a machine of the class described, the combination with means for forcing a last into a shoe, of a shoe horn for guiding the heel end portion of the last in its novement into the shoe, means for frictionally engaging the exterior surface of the upper of the shoe and working the shoe over the last, and mechanism for enabling the o x erator to manipulate said shoe horn and up per engaging means at will to withdraw the horn wholly or partially from the shoe and to work the upper of the shoe over the last.

43. In a machine of the class described. the combination with means for engaging a last partially inserted. in a shoe, of a shoe horn arranged to project within the shoe between the shoe and the heel end face of the last, means .for engaging the exterior surface of the upper of the shoe at the heel end portion, and independently operative connectionsto saiol horn and upper engaging means for moving the horn in a direction to Withdraw it from the shoe and for operating the upperengaging means to draw the shoe over the last.

4 1-. A 'relasting machine having, in combination, a spindle operable to force a last into a shoe, :1 band movable into position to embrace the rear portion of the shoe, and means to close said bend about the heel por- 10 tion of the shoe and to move it toward the top of the last to Work the rear portion of the shoe over the last.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ADELORD BOURGEOIS. 

